SmackDown: Gunther defeats Royce Keys after Rhodes contract clash
During the May 15, 2026 edition of Friday Night SmackDown at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, Gunther defeated Royce Keys in the main event after a confrontation involving Cody Rhodes and a contract for a title match at Clash in Italy.
SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis scheduled the bout after Gunther declined to sign the contract presented by Rhodes. Rhodes set up the tables and chairs in the ring and requested Gunther’s signature, while Gunther stated that Rhodes had interfered with his planning for joining the brand. Royce Keys then entered and offered to sign the contract himself, prompting Gunther to take the pen and Aldis to award the match to Keys instead.
Keys competed with Solo Sikoa at ringside. When the referee was down, Sikoa slid a chair into the ring; Keys returned it without using it. Gunther then delivered a powerbomb and secured the pinfall once the official recovered. Rhodes attacked Gunther from behind as he celebrated the victory.
The win keeps Gunther in contention for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Clash in Italy, while Aldis has not confirmed a replacement challenger if the contract remains unsigned.
